A 137-foot chimney in a World Heritage Site from England’s Industrial Revolution is being flogged – as a potential ‘quirky home or office’. The historic chimney in Milford, Derbyshire, is located in the Derwent Valley Mills World Heritage Site and just under 42 metres tall and 13 feet wide.
It is described by sellers SDL Auctions as a ‘a very rare opportunity to acquire a piece of history from the 18th century industrial revolution’. With a guide price of just £5,000, the auctioneers have suggested on the Rightmove listing that the chimney could be converted ‘into a quirky home, office, or studio’.
The listing also suggests that the Grade II listed brick chimney could bring in ‘rental income from advertising space or telecoms networks’. But viewers have been left with many questions about the listing, as it features no floorplan or images of the inside of the unique structure.
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Some social media users raised concerns that the new buyer could incur hefty ‘maintenance costs’, while others debated whether any new owner would be granted planning permission due to the building’s historic nature. Others joked someone could see their money ‘go up in smoke’.
However, others loved it and suggested it could be the perfect Grand Designs project or even a money-making 5g or mobile phone mast. Andrew Parker, auctioneer and a partner at SDL Property Auctions, said: “Our team have had years of experience of selling unusual lots, from nuclear bunkers to Welsh reservoirs, but this has to be one of the most extraordinary properties we have ever auctioned – and it has already attracted significant interest from industrial history enthusiasts keen to own their own fascinating piece of heritage.
The listing on Rightmove -Credit:Kennedy News and Media
“The chimney has become surplus to requirements now that the surrounding mill buildings have been redeveloped and it will be sold to the highest bidder at auction. I think we are all intrigued to see who will buy this imposing structure, steeped in history – and what they will do with it.
“Maybe it could be used as an Airbnb or rental property? However, it’s likely a local buyer might like to purchase it to preserve the building. The lot is being sold by live-streamed auction on Thursday, January 30. It is open to remote bidding online, on the phone and by proxy and we advise all our bidders to do their own due diligence prior to bidding, including looking into any planning options.”
The Grade II-listed building – which is located just off the A6 – forms part of some of the world’s first mechanised industrial cotton factories along the River Derwent, an area listed as a World Heritage Site. Viewers were split on whether they believed it was a great opportunity to purchase a part of history with money-making potential or if it’s Grade II-listed status added too much risk.
One user wrote: “Just think of the repairs and the potential public liability.” Another said: “I feel like the only reasonable buyer is someone with money to burn.” A third wrote: “Grade 2 listed building. Massive liability for repairs and maintenance.”
Another user commented: “…literally the chimney? Like nothing attached to it?” One user said: “Love the ‘subject to planning’ after the conversion and advertising suggestions. Not going to happen is it?”
But not everyone in the comments was so skeptical, with some suggesting that the chimney could go on to be sold for six figures in the future. One user commented: “Yes please! I love it!”
Another wrote: “Would make a great Grand Designs project.” Another user said: “This will sell for way higher than the guide price. Obviously crappy potential for conversion to a dwelling, but shove a staircase in there and put 3 or 4 floors at the top, that chimney can be filled with pretty much every radio antennae/mobile wotsit/5G thingy…This could sell for well over £100k.”
The chimney will be sold by online auction to the highest bidder on January 30.